After ongoing discussions with our Medical Director, other health officials, the City of Columbus and its trusted partners at Nationwide and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Marathon Board of Trustees is announcing the elimination of the COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements for the 2022 event.
The first and foremost priority of our event is and will continue to be the safety of our athletes, volunteers, vendors and the public. Over the last year, there have been numerous changes in the status of the ongoing pandemic, as many races and other segments of society have continuously reviewed their policies regarding vaccination and testing requirements. The safety of our athletes, volunteers, vendors and the public was the driving factor in the Board adopting our COVID-19 safety measures for the 2021 event; namely the requirement of being fully vaccinated or producing a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to the event.
Since the start of 2022, our Board and Event Team have closely monitored the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic and have conducted ongoing discussions with medical and safety experts, Nationwide and Nationwide Children’s Hospital concerning our COVID-19 safety protocols. In addition, we also listened to the input on this crucial matter offered by another valuable partner, our participants. The Board is thankful for these valued partnerships in helping us to provide the finest and safest event for our entire community.
While the Board is announcing this COVID-19 policy change regarding vaccinations and testing requirements, our event STRONGLY recommends all participants, volunteers, vendors and others involved with the event be vaccinated against COVID-19, and STRONGLY encourages mask wearing indoors at the Health & Fitness Expo and in other indoor areas such as tents during race weekend.
Further, our event will continue to comply with all federal, state and local provisions regarding COVID-19 protocols, and should conditions change, the Board reserves the right to reinstitute the original COVID-19 protocols or expand them as the need arises.
We appreciate your continued support as we work through the details of organizing “America’s Most Meaningful Marathon,” and look forward to seeing you soon!
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